daf bit: Bava Batra 90

[cellio]

The rabbis consider hoarding of food (specifically fruit) to be in the same category as lending money on usury and reducing the size of one's measures (to cheat the buyer). Rab said that a person may store produce he grew himself (rather than buying); however, he may not hoard life's necessities (wine, oil, flour). Even so there is a limit; in Eretz Yisrael one may store produce for three years, to cover the current year, the sabbatical year to follow, and the year folowing that. And in years of famine one may not hoard even carob. (90b)

(If you have never eaten carob, let me just say that your theoretical understanding of the last sentence is limited. :-) )

Comments

[cellio]

I think there are a few differences:

The rabbis (by my reading) seem to be concerned about the effect your hoarding has on the community. As you pointed out, in this case the hoarding was on behalf of the community. (Though they still had to purchase the grain.)

In the case of Joseph God was involved (causing the dreams and giving Joseph the ability to interpret them). That probably changes things. :-) (I don't know whether Joseph's answer is held to be from God too, or if that was his own thinking.)

Egyptians aren't obligated to Jewish law.